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Coun. Dale Henderson’s push to turn city hall into a charity case — he wants Londoners to be allowed to donate money to cover municipal costs — moved slightly ahead Tuesday. Council quietly approved a committee recommendation to have city staff return with a report on how the off-the-wall plan could be crafted. Last week, Henderson suggested property tax bills could include options for Londoners to donate extra money to the city, which could be spent on services such as affordable housing or road maintenance.

More often but shorter

City hall’s return to bi-weekly council meetings may have helped set what Mayor Joe Fontana jokingly called a “world record” Tuesday. With a light agenda, council’s work was done in just two hours, clearing politicians out by 7 p.m. The previous schedule had council meeting every three weeks, which, when several important items were debated, often dragged meetings past midnight.

Lamb toy interests pols

The plight of little Mason Smith, a blind three-year-old who lost his stuffed toy, tugged at the heartstrings of Londoners — including politicians. The boy lost his stuffed lamb while riding a city bus Sunday, a story that went viral after his mother posted a Kijiji ad asking people to help find it. As council wrapped up Tuesday, Coun. Nancy Branscombe noted to her colleagues the U.S. company that made the toy promised to restart production just to make two more for the local youngster. “He’ll get his little lamb back,” she said.